Traditional German festival Cannstatter Volksfest returns in September

It might technically still be summer, but it's almost never too early to start thinking about fall festivals. And that's where the folks at Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, Torresdale's premier German social club, come in.

Cannstatter Volksfest, the club's annual Labor Day Weekend celebration of German beer, food, and music, will take place this year from Saturday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 5 at Cannstatter's Park. The three-day festival marks its 144th year running in 2016, making it the oldest German Volksfest in America, as well as the perfect prep for upcoming serious Oktoberfest celebrations.

Passes to the festival will be available at its entrance, and run $6 for a single-day ticket, $9 for a two-day , and $11 for a three-day, with kids under 12 getting in free. The festivities kick off at noon each day.

The Volksfest will feature German beer and wine alongside classic German fare including schnitzel, bratwurst, leberkaese, and other dishes, as well as American food like burgers and hotdogs. Live entertainment will be provided by several musical acts and dance groups focusing on traditional folk styles. Youngsters, meanwhile, can look forward to rides and games.

As with each year, attendees also will get a look at the festival's three-story "fruit column," which is a tradition dating back to the early 19th century that celebrates the year's bounty. Cannstatter founders brought the tradition over to the US when they came to America in 1818.

In June, Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein opened its own beer garden, which is currently open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It will be open through early fall.